Glipmses into Ubud markets

Three times we went back to the market 
and every time I saw something new
The friendly fruit-seller had a sweet face and even sweeter fruit
I fell in love with the scales – but alas they were too heavy to carry home…
and they were not for sale!
The corridors were so narrow single file was the only way through
 
My passion for baskets was well and truly satiated!
Lunch was taken on the run…
 
And the car park attendant was very busy attending some 500 motorbikes!

By mid-afternoon, for some boredom had set in

As pale blue umbrellas provided scant shade from the relentless heat 
and tropical showers 
To say it was steamy would be an understatement!
But the colours, the smells and the noise were intoxicating!
 
Love the madness and mayhem of a local market.

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14 comments

  • There is always something new to see, smell and taste in those markets Francesca.
    Costas

  • Jackie and Joel Smith March 10, 2013   Reply →

    I detest 'shopping' (back home in traditional stores) but Markets, like this one, are my favorite part of travel. I am next week writing about the one we visited in Catania, Sicily last fall. . .so many sights, sounds and smells . . .sigh. . .

  • Mum March 10, 2013   Reply →

    Aromas of sweet fruit beginning to react to the heat are drifting into this room – a welcome glimpse on a wintry day thank you my daughter. Love

  • Ahh Indonesia!! How I would love to go back. I'm hoping one day they will invite me to the writers' conference in Ubud.. Failing that I'll go to my uncle's seventieth in Surabaya. Oh dreams!! Xcat

  • Virginia March 12, 2013   Reply →

    What a gallery of beautiful images F. I love the fruit lady and how she had so carefully and artfully arranged them.
    V

  • Carla Coulson March 14, 2013   Reply →

    I Love a market also Francesca the smells, colours, textures, vibe…. I used to love travelling to Bali when I lived in Australia miss those trips xx Thanks for your comments on the blog post Crete and a simple life sounds magic!! xx Carla

  • Francesca Muir March 14, 2013   Reply →

    Absolutely Costas – I love them and it's the first thing I do when travelling – check out the local markets! Have a lovely weekend Francesca

  • Francesca Muir March 14, 2013   Reply →

    Cat how lucky to have an uncle in Surabaya – I last visited there some years ago – it never changes – like something out of an old movie! God luck with the Writer's Conference – hoping the invitation is on its way F x

  • Francesca Muir March 14, 2013   Reply →

    Always happy to bring sunshine into a winter's day – stay warm – love you ME xx

  • Francesca Muir March 14, 2013   Reply →

    I couldn't agree more – I can't abide the sterile shopping malls and supermarkets with their cleanly polished fruit and perfect vegetables sitting in perfect rows. Give me the mayhem of a local street market any day. Looking forward to the post F xx

  • Francesca Muir March 14, 2013   Reply →

    She was such a gem V – great sense of humour and a wicked laugh – and very generous too. kept giving us fruit every time we walked past. Such happy memories. F x

  • Francesca Muir March 14, 2013   Reply →

    Thank you Carla – meet you in Bali one day! Fxx

  • Pat Tillett March 22, 2013   Reply →

    Great photos! I especially like the candid photos of the people in the marketplace.

  • Francesca Muir March 29, 2016   Reply →

    Thank you xx

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